Teaching, Learning, and Technology Centers (TLT Centers)

Louisiana Department of Education

Baton Rouge, LA
 

Introduction/Overview
Organizational Change
Budget & Finance
Professional Development
Technology Infrastructure
Outcomes
Evaluation
Contact Information
 

Introduction/Overview

The TLT Centers are funded through the EETT Competitive Grant Initiative and are designed to:

• Serve as extensions of the Louisiana Center for Educational Technology.
• Provide technology training services to educators in the immediate and surrounding parishes.
• Support the efforts of the regional service center in the area of the TLT Centers.

Each of the eight TLT Centers provide technology training that includes Louisiana INTECH, INTECH 2, LEADTech, Making Connections, Online Database Resources, ThinkQuest, and more. The TLT Centers are funded for a 2-year cycle with EETT funding.

Organizational Change

District proposals were accepted based on an RFP available in spring 2004. These regional centers were established with the 2002–2004 cycle of EETT funding.The EETT competitive grants are managed by one assistant director at LCET. New applications and renewal applications are processed, professional development activities carried out, and monitoring and evaluation activities are handled.

Budget & Finance

$1.6 million of 2004–2005 EETT funds were awarded to the eight TLT Centers funded. An additional $172,000 (one time allocation) is being awarded to the regional centers for this funding year.

Professional Development

Key Components/Activities of the program:

• Each TLT Center has a regional training facility and a branch site dedicated to training teachers and administrators.
• The TLT Center mirrors all programs that come from LCET, including LA INTECH, INTECH 2, ThinkQuest Camp, LEADTech, Online Databases & Resources, and Making Connections.
• The TLT Center has a Web site where training information is available.
• The TLT Center facilitator works with LCET staff and on LCET projects each month. The current project is development of a technology proficiency online course.
• Provide technology training services to approved nonpublic and public educators in the BESE region the TLT Center is located.
• Coordinate technology training with SCHOOLTech schools (building level, site-based instructional technology facilitators) in the region assisting the SCHOOLTech facilitators funded with additional EETT competitive grant funds.
• Offer specialty area training opportunities to educators and administrators statewide.

Technology Infrastructure

Technology Infrastructure is handled by the district serving as the fiscal agent for these grants. This includes all hardware upgrades, wiring, and technical support.

Outcomes

Key Outcomes: Training opportunities for educators within close proximity to their geographical regional area; outreach to public and nonpublic districts, schools, and teachers; TLT Center facilitators work closely with LCET staff to ensure that all initiatives that flow from LCET are mirrored in the regional centers. During fall 2004, the TLT Centers provided high-quality professional development to more than 2,300 teachers and 400 administrators. This includes F2F workshops and online courses.

Evaluation

The project’s success is attributed to the fact that the regional centers service all educators in their region. High quality technology facilitators with expertise in curriculum and technology training are providing excellent professional development opportunities for their regional educators. This ensures that the training and resources provided to educators are of consistent high quality and meet the needs of educators to be technologically proficient as part of NCLB’s requirements.

Contact Information

Margo Murphy
Margo.Murphy@la.gov
225-763-5575